Erin Kirkland, Daybreak’s family-fun expert, stopped by the show Tuesday to propose a twist on traditional gift giving. Rather than wrapping things, offer up activities instead, she says.

Why go this route? According to the U.S. Travel Association, today’s working families are taking less time off than ever.

“So what’s happening is this is translating into lost time with your kids,” Kirkland said. “Your family’s building up this family story and without taking days off, even here or there, you’re going to lose that kind of stuff.”

Kirkland suggested gifting experiences like:

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center family passes

A trip to the Alaska Zoo

Visiting the Alaska SeaLife Center

Denali Zipline Tours

Cooking/arts and crafts classes

Kirkland says pairing an activity with a physical gift — like a stuffed moose and passes to the Wildlife Conservation Center — will help kids remember the experience.

“It doesn’t have to be fancy, doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s just the time,” Kirkland said.